The Observer Newspapers | Husch Not a Good Leader

April 17, 2008

Husch Not a Good Leader

To the editor:

Not too long ago I watched a concerned resident come before our Town Council to talk about an e-mail she had sent to the Town Council. She thanked many council members for their polite responses to her e-mail. She then remarked that her response from Vice Mayor Dennis Husch was very uncivil.

Moreover, she expressed concern that the vice mayor had responded to her e-mail by copying it, an e-mail which also included her private contact information, to several other private Herndon citizens, as well as many newspapers, including The Washington Post. Mr. Husch was unapologetic and lectured about the value of open government.

Mr. Husch continues to copy other private citizens on his responses to citizens, without their permission and without redacting their contact information. I consider this type of behavior typical for Mr. Husch. I attend most Town Council meetings, and I have personally witnessed him taking on citizens who come up to the microphone to express their points of view, only to be met with a stern rebuke or a full-fledge, red-faced chewing-out. He has done this to many citizens, all the while making public proclamations of respecting citizens' opinions.

I have watched him reprimand members of our chamber of commerce at the Town Council podium, a group whose mission it is to create jobs and tax revenue, and to help our community and economy. In my opinion, this behavior bites off the hands that feed us. He has been very insulting to our Fairfax County officials, questioning their integrity and saying such things as they "were living in a cave."

As I see it, how the vice mayor of our town conducts his business, and treats his constituents, staff and county officials is a serious issue that has a direct effect on the welfare of our town.

Is this particular letter motivated by the upcoming town election? Yes, it is. I believe Mr. Husch's leadership style is very bad for Herndon. Our wonderful town needs the kind of leaders who will be respectful to all, lead Herndon in a positive direction and bring people together, not intimidate or divide people apart.

Barbara Glakas

Herndon